Tag: single lash

In the year’s end, those who “write” about music claim our superior tastes by spouting off about our favorite releases. I figured I should start off all the shenanigans with a list from our home base, Austin, Texas. Below you’ll find a list of my favorite releases from the confines of our fair city.

Let it be known that we released albums by Marmalakes, Feverbones and David Israel (and an EP by Blushing), but those will not make this list for the sake of favoritism…though they’d all obvious take the top spot…duh. Read more

There are several really great albums that came out of Austin this year, but one rising near the top (in my eyes) is this new Single Lash. The band just dropped another tune, and it’s one of the more remarkable numbers we’ve heard from the group. Opening with a distorted guitar coming in bursts, stripped away to reveal Nic’s voice, then back in again. The wall of hazy distortion eventually becomes omnipresent, serving as the white noise on which Nadeau paints his voice. There’s a subtlety to the chorus in this number too, an effortless venture floating and disappearing beneath the atmosphere of the track. Then the band sticks around to texture the back half of the track with haunting musicianship.Providence comes out on October 26th via Holodeck.

I’m really hoping that Single Lash takes off with this new album, as I’ve fancied Austin act’s aesthetic for some time. I love the balance exhibited in the latest single, working carefully between delicate moments of brooding pop and noisier sonic exploration (akin to the gaze). Nic’s voice is perfectly placed here, fragile and deep in tone; it has this billowing effect that’s matched by the group’s efforts…and it all works even more perfectly with the shadowy video elements. Providence, the group’s new album, will be out on October 26th via Holodeck Records.

Single Lash might be one of Austin’s most under-appreaciated acts; they quietly released a beautiful LP back in 2016, and now they’re prepping Providence for you. The shoegaze element that resonates with most folks lurks in the background of this song, though I’m drawn to that cleaner guitar cut that seemingly dances its way through. But, Nicolas’ voice has this deep seductive quality that’s hard to ignore; it’s both powerful and soft at once, letting the guitars ring around his every note; it’s almost as if he’s calling to you through the noise in your speakers. I love the sublime fade out offering more of a shimmer as the tune turns to its close. Look for the album to drop on October 26th via Holodeck Records.

We’re really really excited to kick of the label side of ATH with our first release of 2018: Blushing‘s Weak EP. It’s a heavy dose of dreamgaze gems, all organized into a handy 12″ record. Several tracks have already garnered raves from the likes of DKFM Radio to the esteemed Gold Flake Paint, so clearly they’ve got something you need. Plus, if you’re in the Austin area, you can catch the band live at their release show at Cheer Up Charlies on Saturday night. It’s a pretty solid bill, with Ringo Deathstarr and Single Lash among bands filling the evening out. Just because we love you, we’re streaming the album below for you, in advance of its Friday release. You can grab the vinyl version HERE or the tape HERE.

There’s a special show awaiting Austinites on Saturday evening over at Cheer Up Charlies: LSD and the Search for God. The band is probably one of the quintessential modern shoegaze bands; they’ve garnered praise since their inception in 2005, with the release of Heaven is a Place further cementing their status. But, don’t rest on your laurels here, as the rest of the line-up is fleshed out with some of the finer shoegaze/dream pop acts in town. You show up, as you should, and you’ll get sets from She Sir, Single Lash, Krista Van Liew and Ringo Deathstarr…might not be a better place to be on Saturday night. Stream Heaven is a Place below. More show info HERE.

We are in the throws of the longest days of the year and while it will get a bit hotter, it won’t get much hotter that last Friday. The hotness was overcome.

Night Drive threw a party at Cheer Up Charlies and we were all invited as long as you contributed $5 at the door. Isn’t that nice. Four bands, a DJ that popped jams, so many friends and even some family. Attendees got to see Keeper, Orthy, Night Drive (duh) and Single Lash with Lambda spinning jams in between.

If you click through, you will be rewarded with many images. You will be able to read more words. Thanks.

Night Drive is finally able to unleash their self-titled full length out today. To commemorate, we are gathering at Cheer Up Charlies for a night music and fun. They wanted to invite friends that they love and make some new ones to join them on stage. If you show up, you get good friends Orthy, who have promised a bunch of new music, Keeper, Single Lash and Lambda.

That is a really nicely stacked lineup. Add to it, AmuricaTX will have their photobooth trailer to immortalize things and Captain Morgan is providing the drink specials if you dare.

I’ll be there taking the pics for ATH along with +1 and many friends and familiar faces. We’re thinking a burger and Salt and Time would be fun beforehand. It will be hot. Be ready. Dress sensibly. Comfortable shoes. Nathan loves when I bring up comfortable shoes. Tickets are $5 at the door.

We don’t shy away from the fact that the ATH loves Night Drive. “Rise And Fall” is on my JamOTY list. The new record is finally final with a June 16th release date. The s/t debut rehashes a few hits we are familiar with while adding new tracks that have been on the periphery of recent live sets. New song below!

Speaking of live sets, the big release party is also officially official. Details available on the bookface, but the short and sweet is 6/16, Cheer Up, Orthy, Keeper, Single Lash and Lambda for $5. In.

It’s that time of year when we all throw arbitrary numbers at you, trying to convince you that our tastes are the best. But, I’m going to try taking a slightly different approach this year, giving you just a list of great Austin records that came out this year, but with no numbers or anything. These are just the LPs that connected with me in some way or another throughout 2015. There’s no particular order, just a bunch of records you should probably own. Also, I added some helpful BUY links for you to take you right to where you can get the goods. Just take my word for it and go buy those things.

Stephen Svacina takes on our mundane world, turns it into catchy pop punk, and leaves it memorable. Recommended for those who like high energy tunes that you’ll remember for the rest of your times. BUY

Immediate disclaimer. I helped put this record out. These boys take on the modern Austin cliche of garage-psych and turn it into a sweaty party that’s been proven to rile up audiences, then flip the world upside down by breaking into Beastie Boys. Too good. BUY

Jared is another of Austin’s artists that probably doesn’t get nearly the amount of credit that he deserves, crafting some of the best guitar pop. Pop songs like the one’s on this album aren’t written every day, and when they are, they last in your memory forever. BUY

Geoff Earle makes good on his promise to get everyone grooving, while still supplying enough grit to make it important. One of the most diverse in sound to come out of the city; you’re bouncing to electronic elements before guitars jump in to guarantee that this is more than just a programmed, laptop affair. BUY

I have to apologize to Spray Paint, as this is the only record of theirs that’s going to make it onto my list this year. Maybe people are tired of these guys, but how can you look away when they’re just continuing to release solid album after solid album. It should say a lot that even when they’re so prolific, they never seem to leave you with a track that you can throwaway. BUY

Lurking beneath the belly of Austin’s rock n’ roll scene is a slowly blossoming shoegaze/indiepop scene. There’s this dense coat of atmosphere coating the album, making it perfect for those who seek darkness reinforced by standard pop structures. BUY

If I were still into making mixed CDs for people, “Babylon” would be one of the opening moments; it’s perfect in both it’s simplicity and its construction. One of the few electronic Austin acts that really matter. BUY

A few years ago everyone was raging about The Men. That was fair, but if you’re looking for solid rock n’ roll, I hate to tell you that Institute does it better. Catharsis is one of those albums that seems timeless from the moment you press play; it sounds familiar, yet the songs brim with attitude and execution that you’re not going to find in many scenes. BUY